Former IMF chief visits HQ

US: Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn dropped in to the organisation’s headquarters in Washington DC on Monday, making his first public appearance since charges of sexual assault against him were dropped on August 23.

Friday 2 September 2011, 08:26AM

Strauss-Kahn, accompanied by his wife Anne Sinclair, drove himself to the IMF headquarters to address supporters in an auditorium closed off to reporters.

Strauss-Kahn briefly met with his successor, Christine Lagarde, who currently faces allegations of abuse of power over a €285m settlement made during her time as French finance minister.

Now back on the campaign trail Strauss-Kahn as a candidate in France’s 2012 elections, Strauss-Kahn reportedly arranged the visit personally and is said to have told the audience that the US justice system had been fair to him.

News of Strauss-Kahn’s planned visit was met with a mixed reactions. Some observers reportedly expressed dismay while others said they felt sorry for the man.

Strauss-Kahn held the top position at the IMF for four years. He resigned on May 18, after being arrested in New York on criminal charges of sexual assault and attempted rape of a hotel maid.

After a high-profile media circus surrounding the allegations, the charges against Strauss-Kahn were eventually dropped and the case was dismissed.